History UsefulNotes / AlvaroDeBazan

Bazán showed a darker side after the operations, as it turned out that a lot of French privateers had participated in the battle, and in order to make a example against future incursions against the Iberian fleets, he had hundreds of French prisoners executed, both privateers and navy officers alike. The decision [[WhatTheHellHero disturbed even his own officers]], and the French ambassador in Spain accused the Spaniards of boasting that "not even Jesus Christ was safe, because the Marquis may be able to bring Him back to Earth and crucify him again."

His family left an important legacy as patrons of Spanish literature, with the marquis himself, a famous GentlemanAndAScholar, being celebrated by writers like Creator/MiguelDeCervantes, Creator/LopeDeVega and Luis de Góngora. His strategies are still studied in Spanish military schools, as he is considered a pioneer of amphibian warfare and the usage of marines, as well as one of the main popularizers of the galleon as a warship, along with existent ships whose designs he improved, like galleys, carracks and barges re-designed to disembark troops. Not coincidentially, the current Spanish Marine Infantry had been founded by King UsefulNotes/CharlesV during the beginning of Bazán's career and remains the oldest marine corps still active in the world.

In 1585, Queen of England UsefulNotes/ElizabethI joined the conflict Philip was waging against the rebel United Provinces, with her famous Sea Dog UsefulNotes/SirFrancisDrake making heads turn by attacking Iberian ports around the world. Bazán advised Philip to deliver a knockout blow to England, a similar proposition made by Bazán's land counterpart UsefulNotes/AlexanderFarnese, Duke of Parma, and after too many discussions about the exact method (the Marquis wanted to conquer Ireland first as a stepping stone, while the Duke preferred to strike fast and disembark directly), the Iberian king eventually greenlit a combined plan of his own to invade the British Isles. Bazán was left in charge to gather the fleet, but the process was slow due to his zeal to do things properly, the mismanagement of other staff in Lisbon, a typhus epidemic that ravaged the coast, and yet another attack to Cádiz by Drake, who escaped before Bazán arrived. All of this angered Philip, who wanted things done already, but then, in midst of the preparations, [[DiabolusExNihilo the already ill Bazán passed away]]. Typhus finally did which no enemy had ever achieved.

The project's success arguably died with him. Despite his last wish to be replaced by his brother Alonso de Bazán, another excellent captain that was certainly considered the best man for the task, Philip would make the terrible decision to replace him instead with Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, Duke of Medina Sidonia, a bureaucrat who would undoubtedly speed things up with the preparations... at the cost of being an unexperienced, talentless admiral that reportedly got dizzy every time he got in a ship. [[EpicFail The results, as they often say, are history.]]

After taking the family mantle, Alonso de Bazán went to have his own victorious streak to compensate for this, helping trounce the 1589 English Armada, the fleet of Thomas Howard in Flores, and the Essex-Raleigh Expedition, but also dying of illness shortly after. Both brothers were succeeded by Álvaro's son of the same name, who also had a distinguished career, although never with the same aura as the original.

* He gets a cameo in Bob de Moor's ''Cori, de Scheepsjongen'' album ''The Queen's spies'', and the original character Don Esteban in the same story is basically an expy of Bazán

Álvaro de Bazán y Guzmán, Marquis of Santa Cruz de Mudela, Marquis of Viso and Lord of Valdepeñas (12 December 1526 – 9 February 1588), known as Bazán the Younger, was a Spanish admiral of the 16th century. One of the best naval commanders in the history of the Spanish Empire, if not the history, period, Bazán built a 44-year career in multiple wars with the distinction of never being even close to be defeated in battle, becoming basically the naval wrecking ball of the [[UsefulNotes/TheSoundOfMartialMusic House of Habsburg]] until his anticlimactic death of illness in midst of the [[UsefulNotes/AngloSpanishWar15851604 Anglo-Spanish War]]. He was the admiral meant to be in charge of the unfortunate Spanish Armada before his death, meaning that his death might have effectively [[ForWantOfANail changed the course of history]].

The Marquis of Santa Cruz continued proving his worth during the 1580 Portuguese crisis, caused by the death in battle of King Sebastian I, which again required Bazán to come to the rescue of the Christian ports. His service wouldn't stop there, but just switch targets, as the fleet commanded by Bazán and the land army headed by his close friend UsefulNotes/FernandoAlvarezDeToledoYPimentel, Duke of Alba, teamed up to smash the MultiNationalTeam that impeded Philip II from inheriting the throne of Portugal. Even with Philip crowned in Lisboa, the Portuguese conflict seemed reluctant to end, with anti-Philippine forces regrouping in the island of São Miguel of Azores, so Bazán was ordered to expel them. The Spanish admiral gathered an armada and, [[RefugeInAudacity in a surprise attack]] and despite a heavy inferiority in most fields, destroyed the [[OverlyLongName British-French-Dutch-Portuguese]] enemy fleet in the battle of Vila Franca do Campo, after which he disembarked and captured the island with no less skill. With his victory, the Spanish and Portuguese Empires were welded in the Iberian Union, which would last sixty years before collapsing.

Álvaro de Bazán y Guzmán, Marquis of Santa Cruz de Mudela, Marquis of Viso and Lord of Valdepeñas (12 December 1526 – 9 February 1588), was a Spanish admiral of the 16th century. One of the best naval commanders in the history of the Spanish Empire, if not the history, period, Bazán built a 44-year career in multiple wars with the distinction of never being even close to be defeated in battle, becoming basically the naval wrecking ball of the [[UsefulNotes/TheSoundOfMartialMusic House of Habsburg]] until his anticlimactic death of illness in midst of the [[UsefulNotes/AngloSpanishWar15851604 Anglo-Spanish War]]. He was the admiral meant to be in charge of the unfortunate Spanish Armada before his death, meaning that his death might have effectively [[ForWantOfANail changed the course of history]].

His family left an important legacy as patrons of Spanish literature, with the marquis himself, a famous GentlemanAndAScholar, being celebrated by writers like Creator/MiguelDeCervantes, Creator/LopeDeVega and Luis de Góngora. His strategies are still studied in Spanish military schools, as he is considered a pioneer of amphibian warfare and the usage of marines, as well as one of the main popularizers of the galleon as a warship. Interestingly enough, he might have also been an ancient example of SmartPeoplePlayChess, as his family crest features a chessboard-like pattern, and folklore has that Bazán received this motif because he loved chess and played before his battles, although others believe there is no actual relation (you never know, it could be also that Bazán liked the game because it reminded him of his crest).

Heir to the prestigious lineage of Bazán, lords of Biscay and generals of note, Álvaro learned the ways of the war under his father, Álvaro de Bazán the Elder, who had served alongside the notorious Andrea Doria in the recapture of Tunis and the UsefulNotes/ItalianWars for King UsefulNotes/CharlesV. The young Álvaro had been initiated in the Order of Santiago [[TykeBomb as a mere toddler]] in order to motivate him for a military career, even having been nominally [[AChildShallLeadThem appointed captain of the fortress of Gibraltar at the age of eight]] as a sort of official gesture, and his first showing as a cadet during the Battle of Muros was not less promising, helping his father defeat a French fleet under a heavy disadvantage in numbers. Bazán Jr was soon in command of a fleet of galleys destined to counter pirates and corsairs of all nationalities, and his success at the task over the years, including a vital role in saving the Spanish strongholds after the disaster of Djerba, led King UsefulNotes/PhilipII to promote him to captain general at only 28, possibly the youngest ever at his job.

Bazán warred extensively against the [[UsefulNotes/{{Turkey}} Ottoman Empire]], fighting and winning battles like the siege of Oran and Mers El Kébir, the capture of Vélez de la Gomera, and the famous Ottoman attempt to capture Malta in 1565, whose decisive trumping would be Bazán's brainchild. In reward for his services, Philip II made him general of Naples and gave him the Marquisate of Santa Cruz de Mudela in 1569, just in time for Bazán to participate in the Holy League that was being assembled against the Ottomans. Serving as an advisor to commander UsefulNotes/JohnOfAustria, Bazán commanded the support forces in the UsefulNotes/BattleOfLepanto and was instrumental in the defeat of the Muslims, saving personally the Catholic fleet in not less than three critical instances. Bazán would follow up with actions against Ottoman positions the next years, also putting care to selflessly pay the ransom of many Christian captives. As a curiosity, he was gifted with an ApothecaryAlligator by a Muslim Pasha in one of those deals.

The Marquis of Santa Cruz continued proving his worth during the 1580 Portuguese crisis, caused by the death in battle of King Sebastian I, which again required Bazán to come to the rescue of the Christian ports. His service wouldn't stop there, but just switch targets, as the fleet commanded by Bazán and the land army headed by UsefulNotes/FernandoAlvarezDeToledoYPimentel, Duke of Alba, teamed up to smash the MultiNationalTeam that impeded Philip II from inheriting the throne of Portugal. Even with Philip crowned in Lisboa, the Portuguese conflict seemed reluctant to end, with anti-Philippine forces regrouping in the island of São Miguel of Azores, so Bazán was ordered to expel them. The Spanish admiral gathered an armada and, [[RefugeInAudacity in a surprise attack]] and despite a heavy inferiority in most fields, destroyed the [[OverlyLongName British-Italian-Dutch-Portuguese]] enemy fleet in the battle of Vila Franca do Campo, after which he disembarked and captured the island with no less skill. With his victory, the Spanish and Portuguese Empires were welded in the Iberian Union, which would last sixty years before collapsing.

In 1585, Queen of England UsefulNotes/ElizabethI joined the conflict Philip was waging against the rebel United Provinces, with her famous Sea Dog UsefulNotes/SirFrancisDrake making heads turn by attacking Iberian ports around the world. Bazán advised Philip to deliver a knockout blow to England, a similar proposition made by Bazán's land counterpart UsefulNotes/AlexanderFarnese, Duke of Parma, and after too many discussions about the exact method (the Marquis wanted to conquer Ireland first as a stepping stone, while the Duke preferred to strike fast and disembark directly), the Iberian king eventually greenlit a combined plan to invade the British Isles. Bazán was left in charge to gather the fleet, but the process was slow due to his zeal to do things properly, the mismanagement of other staff in Lisbon, a typhus epidemic that ravaged the coast, and yet another attack to Cádiz by Drake, all of which angered Philip, who wanted things done already. Then, in midst of the preparations, [[DiabolusExNihilo the already ill Bazán passed away]]. Typhus finally did which no enemy had ever achieved.

Álvaro de Bazán y Guzmán, Marquis of Santa Cruz de Mudela, Marquis of Viso and Lord of Valdepeñas (12 December 1526 – 9 February 1588), was a Spanish admiral of the 16th century. One of the best naval commanders in the history of the Spanish Empire, if not the history, period, Bazán built a 44-year career in multiple wars with the distinction of never being even close to be defeated in battle, becoming basically the naval wrecking ball of the [[UsefulNotes/TheSoundOfMartialMusic House of Habsburg]] until his anticlimactic death of illness in midst of the [[UsefulNotes/AngloSpanishWar15851604 Anglo-Spanish War]]. He was the admiral meant to be in charge of the unfortunate Spanish Armada before having to be replaced, meaning that his death might have effectively [[ForWantOfANail changed the course of history]].

The project's success arguably died with him. Despite his last wish to be replaced by his brother Alonso de Bazán, another excellent captain that was certainly considered the best man for the task, Philip would make the terrible decision to replace him instead with Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, Duke of Medina Sidonia, a bureaucrat who would undoubtedly speed things up with the preparations... at the cost of being an unexperienced, talentless admiral that reportedly got dizzy every time he got in a ship. [[EpicFail The results, as they often say, are history.]] After taking the family mantle, Alonso de Bazán went to have his own victorious streak to compensate for this, helping trounce the 1589 English Armada, the fleet of Thomas Howard in Flores, and the Essex-Raleigh Expedition, but also dying of illness shortly after. Both brothers were succeeded by Álvaro's son of the same name, who also had a distinguished career, although never with the same aura as the original.

Bazán warred extensively against the [[UsefulNotes/{{Turkey}} Ottoman Empire]], fighting and winning battles like the siege of Oran and Mers El Kébir, the capture of Vélez de la Gomera, and the famous Ottoman attempt to capture Malta in 1565, whose decisive trumping would be Bazán's brainchild. In reward for his services, Philip II made him general of Naples and gave him the Marquisate of Santa Cruz de Mudela in 1569, just in time for Bazán to participate in the Holy League that was being assembled against the Ottomans. Serving as an advisor to commander John of Austria, Bazán commanded the support forces in the UsefulNotes/BattleOfLepanto and was instrumental in the defeat of the Muslims, saving personally the Catholic fleet in not less than three critical instances. Bazán would follow up with actions against Ottoman positions the next years, also putting care to selflessly pay the ransom of many Christian captives. As a curiosity, he was gifted with an ApothecaryAlligator by a Muslim Pasha in one of those deals.

The Spanish admiral continued proving his worth during the 1580 Portuguese crisis, caused by the death in battle of King Sebastian I, which again required Bazán to come to the rescue of the Christian ports. His service wouldn't stop there, but just switch targets, as the fleet commanded by Bazán and the land army headed by UsefulNotes/FernandoAlvarezDeToledoYPimentel, Duke of Alba, teamed up to smash the MultiNationalTeam that impeded Philip II from inheriting the throne of Portugal. Even with Philip crowned in Lisboa, the Portuguese conflict seemed reluctant to end, with anti-Philippine forces regrouping in the island of São Miguel of Azores, so Bazán was ordered to expel them. The Spanish admiral gathered an armada and, [[RefugeInAudacity in a surprise attack]] and despite a heavy inferiority in most fields, destroyed the [[OverlyLongName British-Italian-Dutch-Portuguese]] enemy fleet in the battle of Vila Franca do Campo, after which he disembarked and captured the island with no less skill. With his victory, the Spanish and Portuguese Empires were welded in the Iberian Union, which would last sixty years before collapsing.

In 1585, Queen of England UsefulNotes/ElizabethI joined the conflict Philip was waging against the rebel United Provinces, with her famous sea dog UsefulNotes/SirFrancisDrake making heads turn by attacking Iberian ports around the world. Bazán advised Philip to deliver a knockout blow to England, the same proposition made by Bazán's land counterpart UsefulNotes/AlexanderFarnese, Duke of Parma, and after too many discussions, the Iberian king eventually greenlit a joint plan to invade the British islands. Bazán was left in charge to gather the fleet, but the process was slow due to his zeal to do things properly, the mismanagement of other staff, a typhus epidemic that ravaged the coast, and yet another attack to Cádiz by Drake, all of which angered Philip, who wanted things done already. Then, in midst of the preparations, [[DiabolusExNihilo the already ill Bazán passed away]]. Typhus finally did which no enemy had ever achieved.

The project's success arguably died with him. Despite his last wish to be replaced by his brother Alonso de Bazán, another excellent captain who was certainly considered the best man for the task, Philip would make the terrible decision to replace him instead with Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, Duke of Medina Sidonia, a bureaucrat who would undoubtedly speed things up with the preparations... at the cost of being an unexperienced, talentless commander that reportedly got dizzy every time he got in a ship. [[EpicFail The results, as they often say, are history.]] After taking the family mantle, Alonso de Bazán went to have his own victorious streak to compensate for this, helping trounce the 1589 English Armada, the fleet of Thomas Howard in Flores, and the Essex-Raleigh Expedition, but also dying of illness shortly after. Both brothers were succeeded by Álvaro's son of the same name, who also had a distinguished career, although never with the same aura as the original.

->''y con la cruz de mi espada"''[[labelnote:In English]]"The fiery Turk in Lepanto, / in the Third (Italian War) the French / and in all of the sea the English / were all afraid of seeing me. / (My) served king and honored homeland / will say better who was I / for the cross of my surname / and the cross of my sword."[[/labelnote]]

Álvaro de Bazán y Guzmán, Marquis of Santa Cruz de Mudela, Marquis of Villa and Lord of Valdepeñas (12 December 1526 – 9 February 1588), was a Spanish admiral of the 16th century. One of the best naval commanders in the history of the Spanish Empire, if not the history, period, Bazán built a 44-year career in multiple wars with the distinction of never being even close to be defeated in battle, becoming basically the naval wrecking ball of the [[UsefulNotes/TheSoundOfMartialMusic House of Habsburg]] until his anticlimactic death of illness in midst of the [[UsefulNotes/AngloSpanishWar15851604 Anglo-Spanish War]]. He was the admiral meant to be in charge of the unfortunate Spanish Armada before having to be replaced, meaning that his death might have effectively [[ForWantOfANail changed the course of history]].

In 1585, Queen of England UsefulNotes/ElizabethI joined the conflict Philip was waging against the rebel United Provinces, with her famous sea dog UsefulNotes/SirFrancisDrake making heads turn by attacking Iberian ports around the world. Bazán advised Philip to deliver a knockout blow to England, the same proposition made by Bazán's land counterpart UsefulNotes/AlexanderFarnese, Duke of Parma, and after too many discussions, the Iberian king eventually greenlit a joint plan to invade the British islands. Bazán was left in charge to gather the fleet, but the process was slow due to his zeal to do things properly, the mismanagement of other staff, and yet another attack to Cádiz by Drake, all of which angered Philip, who wanted things done already. Then, in midst of the preparations, [[DiabolusExNihilo Bazán fell ill and passed away]]. Death finally did which no enemy had ever achieved.

The project's success arguabily died with Bazán, as Philip would make the horrible decision to replace him with Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, Duke of Medina Sidonia, a man who would undoubtedly speed things up at the cost of being an unexperienced, talentless commander who reportedly got dizzy every time he got in a ship. Taking the family mantle, Álvaro's brother Alonso de Bazán would still make some noise as another excellent admiral, helping trounce the 1589 English Armada, the fleet of Thomas Howard in Flores, and the Essex-Raleigh Expedition, but also dying of illness shortly after.

* He's praised by Miguel de Cervantes in ''Literature/DonQuixote''. With good reason, given that Cervantes also fought in Lepanto and pretty much came out alive thanks to him.

Álvaro de Bazán y Guzmán, Marquis of Santa Cruz de Mudela (12 December 1526 – 9 February 1588), was a Spanish admiral of the 16th century. One of the best naval commanders in the history of the Spanish Empire, if not the history, period, Bazán built a 44-year career in multiple wars with the distinction of never being even close to be defeated in battle, becoming something like the naval wrecking ball of the [[UsefulNotes/TheSoundOfMartialMusic House of Habsburg]] until his anticlimactic death of illness in midst of the [[UsefulNotes/AngloSpanishWar15851604 Anglo-Spanish War]]. He was the admiral meant to be in charge of the unfortunate Spanish Armada before having to be replaced, meaning that his death might have effectively [[ForWantOfANail changed the course of history]].

His family left an important legacy as patrons of Spanish literature, with the marquis himself, a famous GentlemanAndAScholar, being celebrated by writers like Creator/MiguelDeCervantes, Creator/LopeDeVega and Luis de Góngora. His strategies are still studied in Spanish military schools, as he is considered a pioneer of amphibian warfare and the usage of marines, as well as one of the main popularizers of the galleon as a warship. Interestingly enough, he might have also been an ancient example of SmartPeoplePlayChess, as his family crest features a chessboard-like pattern, and folklore has that Bazán received this motif because he loved chess and played before his battles, although others believe there is no actual relation (you never know, it could be also that Bazán liked the game because he reminded him of his crest).

Heir to the prestigious lineage of Bazán, lords of Biscay and generals of note, Álvaro learned the ways of the war under his father, Álvaro de Bazán the Elder, who had served alongside the legendary Andrea Doria in the recapture of Tunis and the UsefulNotes/ItalianWars for King UsefulNotes/CharlesV. The young Álvaro had been initiated in the Order of Santiago [[TykeBomb as a mere toddler]] in order to motivate him for a military career, even having been nominally [[AChildShallLeadThem appointed captain of the fortress of Gibraltar at the age of eight]] as a sort of official gesture, and his first showing as a cadet during the Battle of Muros was not less promising, helping his father defeat a French fleet under a heavy disadvantage in numbers. Bazán Jr was soon in command of a fleet of galleys destined to counter pirates and corsairs of all nationalities, and his success at the task over the years led King UsefulNotes/PhilipII to promote him to captain general at only 28, possibly the youngest ever at his job.

Bazán warred extensively against the [[UsefulNotes/{{Turkey}} Ottoman Empire]], fighting and winning battles like the siege of Oran and Mers El Kébir, the capture of Vélez de la Gomera, and the Ottoman attempt to capture Malta, whose trumping was Bazán's work alone. In reward for his services, Philip II made him general of Naples and gave him the Marquisate of Santa Cruz de Mudela in 1569, just in time for Bazán to participate in the Holy League against the Ottomans. Serving along with Giovanni Andrea Doria, great-nephew of the old admiral, Bazán commanded the support forces in the UsefulNotes/BattleOfLepanto and was instrumental in the decisive defeat of the Muslims, saving personally the Catholic fleet in not less than three critical instances. Bazán would follow up with actions against Ottoman positions the next years, also putting care to selflessly pay the ransom of many Christian captives. As a curiosity, he was gifted with an ApothecaryAlligator by a Muslim Pasha in one of those deals.

The Spanish admiral continued proving his worth during the 1580 Portuguese crisis, where the fleet commanded by Bazán and the land army headed by UsefulNotes/FernandoAlvarezDeToledoYPimentel, Duke of Alba, teamed up to smash the MultiNationalTeam that impeded Philip II from inheriting the throne of Portugal. Even with Philip crowned in Lisboa, the Portuguese conflict seemed reluctant to end, with anti-Philippine forces regrouping in the island of São Miguel of Azores, so Bazán was ordered to expel them. The Spanish admiral gathered an armada and, [[RefugeInAudacity in a surprise attack]] and despite a heavy inferiority in most fields, destroyed the [[OverlyLongName British-Italian-Dutch-Portuguese]] enemy fleet in the battle of Vila Franca do Campo, after which he disembarked and captured the island with no less skill. With his victory, the Spanish and Portuguese Empires were meld in the Iberian Union, which would last sixty years before collapsing.

The Spanish admiral continued proving his worth during the 1580 Portuguese crisis, where the fleet commanded by Bazán and the land army headed by Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alba, teamed up to smash the MultiNationalTeam that impeded Philip II from inheriting the throne of Portugal. Even with Philip crowned in Lisboa, the Portuguese conflict seemed reluctant to end, with anti-Philippine forces regrouping in the island of São Miguel of Azores, so Bazán was ordered to expel them. The Spanish admiral gathered an armada and, [[RefugeInAudacity in a surprise attack]] and despite a heavy inferiority in most fields, destroyed the [[OverlyLongName British-Italian-Dutch-Portuguese]] enemy fleet in the battle of Vila Franca do Campo, after which he disembarked and captured the island with no less skill. With his victory, the Spanish and Portuguese Empires were meld in the Iberian Union, which would last sixty years before collapsing.

His family left an important legacy as patrons of Spanish literature, with the marquis himself, a famous ManOfWealthAndTaste, being celebrated by writers like Creator/MiguelDeCervantes, Creator/LopeDeVega and Luis de Góngora. His strategies are still studied in Spanish military schools, as he is considered a pioneer of amphibian warfare and the usage of marines, as well as one of the main popularizers of the galleon as a warship. Interestingly enough, he might have also been an ancient example of SmartPeoplePlayChess, as his family crest features a chessboard-like pattern, and folklore has that Bazán received this motif because he loved chess and played before his battles, although others believe there is no actual relation (you never know, it could be also that Bazán liked the game because he reminded him of his crest).

Heir to the prestigious lineage of Bazán, lords of Biscay and generals of note, Álvaro learned the ways of the war under his father, Álvaro de Bazán the Elder, who had served alongside the legendary Andrea Doria in the recapture of Tunis and the UsefulNotes/ItalianWars for King UsefulNotes/CharlesV. The young Álvaro had been initiated in the Order of Santiago [[TykeBomb as a mere toddler]] in order to motivate him for a military career, even having been nominally [[AChildShallLeadThem appointed captain of the fortress of Gibraltar at the age of eight]] as a sort of official gesture, and his first showing as a cadet during the Battle of Muros was not less promising, helping his father defeat a French fleet under a heavy disadvantage in numbers. Bazán Jr was soon in command of a fleet of galleys destined to counter pirates and corsairs of all nationalities, and his success at the task over the years led King Philip II to promote him to captain general at only 28, possibly the youngest ever at his job.

Álvaro de Bazán y Guzmán, Marquis of Santa Cruz de Mudela (12 December 1526 – 9 February 1588), was a Spanish admiral of the 16th century. One of the best naval commanders in the history of the Spanish Empire, if not the history, period, Bazán crammed up a 44-year career in multiple wars with the distinction of never being even close to be defeated in battle, becoming something like the naval wrecking ball of the [[UsefulNotes/TheSoundOfMartialMusic Habsburg House]] until his anticlimactic death of illness in midst of the [[UsefulNotes/AngloSpanishWar15851604 Anglo-Spanish War]]. He was the admiral meant to be in charge of the unfortunate Spanish Armada before having to be replaced, meaning that his death might have effectively [[ForWantOfANail changed the course of history]].

Álvaro de Bazán y Guzmán, Marquis of Santa Cruz de Mudela (12 December 1526 – 9 February 1588), was a Spanish admiral of the 16th century. One of the best naval commanders in the history of the Spanish Empire, if not the history, period, Bazán crammed up a 44-year career in multiple wars with the distinction of never being even close to be defeated in battle, becoming something like the naval wrecking ball of the [[UsefulNotes/TheSoundOfMartialMusic Habsburg House]] until his anticlimactic death of illness in midst of the [[UsefulNotes/AngloSpanishWar15851604 Anglo-Spanish War]]. He was the admiral meant to be in charge of the unfortunate Spanish Armada, meaning that his death might have effectively [[ForWantOfANail changed the course of history]].

Álvaro de Bazán y Guzmán, Marquis of Santa Cruz de Mudela (12 December 1526 – 9 February 1588), was a Spanish admiral of the 16th century. One of the best naval commanders in the history of the Spanish Empire, if not the history, period, Bazán crammed up a 44-year career in multiple wars with the distinction of never being even close to be defeated in battle, becoming something like the naval wrecking ball of the [[UsefulNotes/TheSoundOfMartialMusic Habsburg House]] until his anticlimactic death of illness in midst of the [[UsefulNotes/AngloSpanishWar15851604 Anglo-Spanish War]]. He was the admiral meant to be in charge of the unfortunate Spanish Armada, meaning that his death might have effectively changed the course of history.

Heir to the prestigious lineage of Bazán, lords of Biscay and generals of note, Álvaro learned the ways of the war under his father, Álvaro de Bazán the Elder, who had served alongside the legendary Andrea Doria in the recapture of Tunis and the UsefulNotes/ItalianWars for King UsefulNotes/CharlesV. The young Álvaro had been initiated in the Order of Santiago [[TykeBomb as a mere toddler]] in order to motivate him for a military career, even having been nominally [[AChillShallLeadThem appointed captain of the fortress of Gibraltar at the age of eight]] as a sort of official gesture, and his first showing as a cadet during the Battle of Muros was not less promising, helping his father defeat a French fleet under a heavy disadvantage in numbers. Bazán Jr was soon in command of a fleet of galleys destined to counter pirates and corsairs of all nationalities, and his success at the task over the years led King Philip II to promote him to captain general at only 28, possibly the youngest ever at his job.

->''"El fiero turco en Lepanto,
->en la Tercera el francés,
->y en todo mar el inglés,
->tuvieron de verme espanto.
->Rey servido y patria honrada
->dirán mejor quién he sido
->por la cruz de mi apellido
->y con la cruz de mi espada"''[[labelnote:In English]]"The fiery Turk in Lepanto, / in the Third (Italian War) the French, / and in all of the sea the English / were afraid of seeing me. / Served king and honored homeland / will say better who was I / for the cross of my surname / and the cross of my sword."[[/labelnote]]
-->--'''UsefulNotes/LopeDeVega'''

Álvaro de Bazán y Guzmán, Marquis of Santa Cruz de Mudela (12 December 1526 – 9 February 1588), was a Spanish admiral of the 16th century. One of the best naval commanders in the history of the Spanish Empire, Bazán crammed up a 44-year career in multiple wars with the distinction of never being even close to be defeated in battle, becoming something like the naval wrecking ball of the [[UsefulNotes/TheSoundOfMartialMusic Habsburg House]] until his anticlimactic death of illness in midst of the [[UsefulNotes/AngloSpanishWar15851604 Anglo-Spanish War]]. He was the admiral meant to be in charge of the infamous Spanish Armada, meaning that his death might have effectively changed the course of history. His family left an important legacy as patrons of Spanish literature, with the marquis himself being celebrated by writers like UsefulNotes/MiguelDeCervantes, UsefulNotes/LopeDeVega and Luis de Góngora.

Heir to the prestigious lineage of Bazán, lords of Biscay and generals of note, Álvaro learned the ways of the war under his father, Álvaro de Bazán the Elder, who had served alongside the legendary Andrea Doria in the recapture of Tunis and the UsefulNotes/ItalianWars for King UsefulNotes/CharlesV. The young Álvaro had been initiated in the Order of Santiago [[TykeBomb as a mere toddler]] in order to motivate him for a military career, and this proved promising with his first showing as a cadet during the Battle of Muros, where the Elder defeated a French flota under heavy disadvantage in numbers. Bazán Jr was soon in command of a fleet of galleys destined to counter pirates and corsairs, and his success at the task over the years led King Philip II to promote him to captain general at only 28, possibly the youngest ever at his job.

Bazán warred extensively against the [[UsefulNotes/{{Turkey}} Ottoman Empire]], fighting and winning battles like the siege of Oran and Mers El Kébir, the capture of Vélez de la Gomera, and the Ottoman attempt to capture Malta, whose trumping was Bazán's work alone. In reward for his services, Philip II made him general of Naples and gave him the Marquisate of Santa Cruz de Mudela in 1569, just in time for Bazán to participate in the Holy League against the Ottomans. Serving along with Giovanni Andrea Doria, great-nephew of the old admiral, Bazán commanded the support forces in the UsefulNotes/BattleOfLepanto and was instrumental in the decisive defeat of the Muslims, saving personally the Catholic fleet in not less than three critical instances. Bazán would follow up with actions against Ottoman positions the next years.

The Spanish admiral continued proving his worth during the 1580 Portuguese crisis, where the fleet commanded by Bazán and the land army headed by Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alba, teamed up to smash the MultiNationalTeam that impeded Philip II to inheriting the throne of Portugal. Even with Philip crowned in Lisboa, the Portuguese conflict seemed reluctant to end, with anti-Philippine forces regrouping in the island of São Miguel of Azores, so Bazán was ordered to expel them. The Spanish admiral gathered an armada and, [[RefugeInAudacity in a surprise attack]] and despite a heavy inferiority in most fields, destroyed the [[OverlyLongName British-Italian-Dutch-Portuguese]] enemy fleet in the battle of Vila Franca do Campo, after which he disembarked and captured the island with no less skill. With his victory, the Spanish and Portuguese Empires were meld in the Iberian Union, which would last sixty years before collapsing.

In 1585, Queen of England UsefulNotes/ElizabethI joined the conflict Philip was waging against the rebel United Provinces, with her famous sea dog UsefulNotes/SirFrancisDrake making a DynamicEntry by attacking Iberian ports around the world. Bazán advised Philip to deliver a knockout blow to England, the same proposition made by Bazán's land counterpart UsefulNotes/AlexanderFarnese, Duke of Parma, and after too many discussions, the Iberian king eventually greenlit a joint plan to invade the British islands. Bazán was left in charge to gather the fleet, but the process was slow due to his zeal to do things properly, the mismanagement of other staff, and yet another attack to Cádiz by Drake, all of which angered Philip, who wanted things done already. Then, in midst of the preparations, [[DiabolusExNihilo Bazán fell ill and passed away]]. Death finally did which no enemy had ever achieved.

The project's success arguabily died with Bazán, as Philip would make the horrible decision to replace him with Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, Duke of Medina Sidonia, a man who would undoubtedly speed things up at the cost of being a completely unexperienced admiral who reportedly got dizzy every time he aboarded a ship. Taking the family mantle, Álvaro's brother Alonso de Bazán would still make some noise as another excellent admiral, helping trounce the 1589 English Armada, the fleet of Thomas Howard in Flores, and the Essex-Raleigh Expedition, but also dying of illness shortly after.